Tongue Extensions

[Tedd]

My trailer has a very short extension capability--just a couple of feet. I'm planning to modify it for more extension. Yes, I will do a proper analysis with load and stress calculations. But, as a kind of sanity check, I'm interested in some of the dimensions of other people's trailers. Specifically, the dimensions in the sketch below. No need to be super accurate, I'm just trying to get a gut feel for what's out there, at this point.

If you can give me DIM C in both the extended and retracted positions, that would be great.

Also, it would help to know the material dimensions. I assume everyone's tongue is steel. My tongue tubes are steel, 3.5" x 1/8" wall square for the outer tube and 3.0" x 0.146" wall square for the inner tube.

 

[sail sfbay]

Since you can do the load and stress calculations, suggest designing it from first principles (as a chemical and structural engineer that was my approach) then submit the load and stress calculations to an independent structural engineer's review and stamp, if required. Alternatively, with a tape measure and calipher find similar trailers and measure for an indicative idea of the dimensions for reference only OR have your local trailer shop design and fabricat one for you. The latter is what I did for my tandem waterski boat trailer.

 

[Tedd]

Thanks, @sail sfbay . I do have a design strategy in mind, thanks. That design strategy includes gathering data on existing designs which, as you say, could be done by spending a few days driving around to local marinas looking for the occasional trailer that I might find that has an extension, and taking measurements. But, you know, social media and all that, I thought maybe I might find some helpful people on this forum, instead.

 

[sail sfbay]

As a design engineer do not rely on other designs. Design your own that you know is safe.

 

[JBP-PA]

Here is my extension in case it helps. It has a sliding bar with its own hitch. It slides through sleeves welded to the trailer. I usually leave put the extension through all the sleeves which keeps my tires out of the water at my ramp. At the longest setting using only two sleeves, it can bottom out at the high spot between the ramp approach and the ramp.

 

[Tedd]

Fantastic, @JBP-PA . I like the idea of a separate extension, especially since I have surge brakes and a separate extension would mean not having to modify the surge brake system.

It looks like you're extended out about 7 or 8 feet when it's fully extended, is that about right?

 

[JBP-PA]

The bar is 10 ft, but some of it must remain in the sleeves, if I use all three sleeves, about 5 ft is out. If I only use the last two then a bit more than 7ft. Fully retracted, the extension hitch is well behind the main hitch so as not to interfere, so maybe another foot less.

 

[Tedd]

@JBP-PA , any idea what your tongue weight is?

 

[JoeWhite]

My H25.5 extention that I built was 13 feet long total with its own hitch. It had a wheel near the the trailer hitch. I used this extention to raise the mast aswell.

 

[JBP-PA]

@JBP-PA , any idea what your tongue weight is?

The trailer plus boat is about 4,000 lbs. I haven't measured the tongue weight.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

The tongue extension I built has the following dims:
A=~9'6"
B=10'
C=7-8'
D=2-3' (assuming this is the measurement of the extended extension, not the trailer)

The boat and trailer are estimated at 7500 lbs. I used 1/8" steel tubing and 1/2" bolts as pins. When in doubt, I went with the stronger option

 

[Tedd]

Excellent information guys, thanks a lot!

 

[sail sfbay]

Suggest sharing with the forum your design and how your stress and load calculations factored into it. No need to over design, albeit you would not want to under design it.

Consider a swing tongue extension .......this is what I designed for my tandem waterski boat trailer to allow the trailer to fit in my garage.

 

[SycloneDriver]

I replaced a damaged tongue with one 3 or 4 feet longer and added an extendable crane. IIRC the metal was 11 gauge 3" x 4". The marina had a 35ft trailer extension that we borrowed. We took the boat, a 1979 San Juan 7.7m, home every winter for maintenance & paint.

 

[Tedd]

@SycloneDriver ,

After seeing your photos, I'm glad I have a swing keel! That extendable crane is quite the structure.

With that trailer extension, can you get the trailer far enough into the water to float the boat on? That would be impressive. The ramp must go pretty far into the water.

 

[SycloneDriver]

@Tedd ,

I used part of the original bow stop for the crane. It made stepping the mast so much easier!

With the trailer extension and the long ramp we easily float the boat on and off the trailer. The entire process was not without challenges though.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I used part of the original bow stop for the crane. It made stepping the mast so much easier!

Mine is nearly the same design. A straight piece of steel tubing that slides into the bow stop with an electric winch attached. This setup allows the mast to be stepped while the boats on the trailer and with the boat tied up perpendicular with the shore. I think I'd go for an aluminum tube next time. At 14' long, it's a pain to get it into the bow stop

 

[LakeShark]

@Tedd check out this thread. I along with a number of other trailer sailors came up with solutions that work for us. Been years now and my tongue extension still works great.

Trailer Toungue Extension

Ok so I realize this is an older thread but how did your extension work? I have a similar issue that I need to repair this spring. I have a Catalina 22 wing keel on a modified trailer. Make, model, etc.… tags are unreadable on the trailer but that is not what matters. It has an extendable...

forums.sailboatowners.com

 

[Tedd]

Thanks, @LakeShark ! I like the very first idea in the thread. My trailer has surge brakes which presents a challenge for the telescoping extension I've had in mind. But a detachable extension would solve that problem.

 

[Parsons]

Disappointed ... I thought that this was going to be a KISS discussion